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Contents:
● Revision techniques
● Diet, health and wellbeing
● Examinations
● Summary of changes to GCSEs for 2021
● Key dates
● Mental Health resources
● Careers advice
● Contact list
FBA Year 11 Examination Preparation
Evening
On the school website as separate documents:
● Period 6 – Frances and Bardsley Pathway Programme
● Year 11 Revision Timetable
Revision techniques: Why is it important to revise?
How should students organise their time?
Different revision strategies
Technique Notes
After 24 hours you're likely to retain just 35% of the information you revised the previous evening.
Furthermore, after 31 days you only remember approximately 20% of subject content.
Therefore, it important to plan your revision carefully and keep a record of what you have covered.
It is important that students review, practice and check.
Students need to plan what they are actually revising, not just Maths e.g. algebra
When practising, set timers and
⦿ One Revision Clock per topic
⦿ Divide the content into 12 blocks/groups
⦿ Time yourself
⦿ Use books/notes/memory
⦿ Use drawings, words, sentences, equations
⦿ Look at this regularly
⦿ Friend/family member to test you
⦿ Repeat this later without notes until you
remember the information
⦿ Choose a topic (use your textbooks or
revision guides for cues) and write this on one side of the Flashcard
⦿ Read the relevant part of their textbook or
notes.
⦿ Students to then go back to their cards and try
to write keywords, notes or definitions on them (this tests their memory)
⦿ Summarising knowledge is a really good way
to test what they know
⦿ Students can then flick through the cards to
help them remember or use them to get friends/parents to test them.
⦿ Write exam questions on the other side so
you can practice those and check the other side if necessary
⦿ A Mind map is basically a diagram that
connects information around a central subject.
⦿ The combination of words and pictures is 6
times better than words alone.
⦿ Mind mapping is very effective as it allows you
to make links between different parts of a topic.
⦿ They require you to become more creative
and they will help you to remember more.
⦿ Ideally these should be on A3 paper and
include specific case studies/examples.
⦿ Students can listen to Podcasts from a range
of websites including BBC bitesize and blogs or subject specific websites
⦿ They need to make sure these are subject
specific
⦿ Ideally students should try to summarise key
information in less than 50 words
⦿ Or they could write down three important
quotes or facts to learn
⦿ Students could also produce their own
podcasts to share with their friends
PiXL Maths and English apps - students have their login details for these. Typically, students should spend 15 minutes a day on each of these apps.
⦿ Revise with a friend/family member. Write a
list of questions including;
⦿ True/false
⦿ Multiple choice questions
⦿ Gap fills
⦿ Write the end to this sentence
⦿ You could also play games such as ‘Just a
minute’ ‘Pictionary’ ‘Guess who?’
⦿ You could ask a friend to write a paragraph
with factual mistakes so another person can spot and correct the mistakes
⦿ Practice questions: Produce a detailed plan
for an answer by annotating the question
⦿ You could use your textbook, exercise book,
revision guide to help you
⦿ Then answer the question a few hours or a
couple of days later
⦿ Hand this into your teacher for feedback
⦿ Or ask your teacher for the mark scheme so
you can mark it yourself.
⦿ To produce a Storyboard, fold an A3 piece of
paper into sixth or eighths
⦿ Divide each box into space for a drawing or
image from the internet and text underneath
⦿ They can draw storyboards of key
events/sequences. Include key quotes, characters and themes running through the text/play. You could also do this in History as a timeline of events.
⦿ In the exam you will be able to visualise this.
⦿ Fill it boxes are a useful way to learn
knowledge
⦿ Write a word /phrase at the top of the box
⦿ Write words/phrases/facts/ examples that you
associate with that word at the top of the box
⦿ You can fit 6 to an A4 page which you can
use to revise with a friend or turn over and try to write what you can remember on the other side
⦿ Sketch it boxes is a useful way to learn
important knowledge
⦿ Sketch an idea which relates to a topic
⦿ Label your sketch with as much detail as
possible
⦿ You can fit 8 to an A4 page which you can
draw & label then ask a friend to guess what it is.
Diet, health and wellbeing
⦿ Make sure you eat breakfast it is the most important meal of the day
⦿ Drink more water – AT LEAST 2 LITRES OF WATER PER DAY
The human brain is made of about 75% water so when we are dehydrated brain cells lose efficiency.
Drinking more water with help you to:
1) Stay active
2) Improve memory and concentration
3) Reduce stress
4) Sleep better
5) Control mood changes and balance emotions
6) Improve blood flow and oxygen to the brain
⦿ Try to introduce some of the healthy snacks from the examples below into your diet
⦿ Get a good night’s sleep – aim for 8 hours. Sleep is when most of our memory consolidation
process occurs, it makes sense that without enough sleep we are going to struggle to remember the things we have learned. Even a short nap can improve your memory recall.
⦿ Do some moderate exercise (e.g. walking to and from school) or meditation techniques
ExaminationsPublic Exam Dates 2021- TBC
Contingency Day- TBC
Things you can do to help
● Read through the Exams Guidance Booklet with your daughter to make sure they are familiar
with what is expected of them and the rules and regulations.
● Check your daughter’s timetable with them to ensure their details are correct and that they
know the date; start time; where they are going and where they are sitting for each exam.
● Make sure they pack their bag the night before with the equipment they will need in a clear pencil case and that they have a clear bottle for water with no labels on.
● Students need the following:
o Black pens (at least four)o Pencilo Ruler/Protractor/Compass
o Scientific calculator (should be brought to all examinations as this may be needed for a number of different subject areas)
o Erasero Pencil Sharpenero Exam card
● Make sure they allow enough time to get to school to arrive on time for their exam.
Frequently Asked QuestionsWhy do I need to check the details on my timetable?
The details on your timetable will be used when certificates are printed. You should also check that the subjects and tiers of entry are correct and that no subjects are missing.
What do I do if I have an accident or am ill before the exam?
Inform the school as soon as possible so that we can help or advise you. You will have to obtain medical or other evidence if you wish the school to appeal for special consideration on your behalf.
What do I do if I fall ill during the exam?
Put your hand up and an invigilator will assist you. You should inform an invigilator if you feel ill before or during an exam.
What happens if I arrive late for an exam?
Regulations state that it is at the schools discretion as to whether you are permitted to sit the exam or not if you are late. You must report to Exams Office immediately and you will be escorted to the exam room if you are permitted to sit the exam. You must not enter an exam room unaccompanied once an exam has started. Please ensure that you allow enough time to get to school. You should also be aware that if you start the exam more than 1 hour after the published starting time, FBA must inform the awarding body and it is possible that the awarding body may decide not to accept your work. Please ensure that you allow enough time to get the school so that if you are delayed (e.g. through transport problems) you will still arrive on time.
If I miss the examination can I take it on another day?
No. Timetables are published by the exam boards and you must attend on the stated date and time.
Can I sit somewhere else to take my exam?
No. Regulations state that all students have to be seated in a specific order in the main exam room unless they have a diagnosed long term medical condition that the school is aware of and it has been their normal way of working while in school.
We can only put last minute exam arrangements in place for emergencies e.g. broken bones. We cannot seat students in separate rooms or grant access arrangements for anxiety unless it has been proven by a health care professional such as an educational or clinical psychologist, showing
this is a diagnosis they have been receiving treatment for over a period of time. A letter from the GP is no longer accepted by the JCQ for anxiety.
Do I have to wear school uniform?
Yes. Normal FBA regulations apply to uniform, hair, jewellery, make-up etc.
What equipment should I bring?
For most exams you should bring a minimum of 2 pens (black ink only). For some exams you will need a calculator, a ruler, pencil sharpener, rubber, compasses, protractor, coloured pencil crayons (not gel pens). You are responsible for providing your own equipment in a clear pencil case for examinations. You must not attempt to borrow equipment from another candidate during the examination.
What items are not allowed into the examination room?
Only material that is listed on question papers is permitted in the examination room and students who are found to have any material with them that is not allowed will be reported to the appropriate awarding body. In such circumstances, a student would normally be disqualified from the paper or the subject concerned.
Why can’t I bring my mobile telephone / electronic devices (including all watches) into the exam room?
Being in possession of a mobile telephone (or any other electronic device) is regarded as malpractice and is subject to severe penalty from the awarding bodies.
What is meant by the term Malpractice?
Malpractice is when a candidate fails to comply with the JCQ regulations.
How do I know how long the exam is?
The length of the examination is shown on your individual timetable under the heading ‘duration’. The invigilators will tell you when to start and finish your exam. They will display the finish time of the exam at the front of the exam room. There will be a clock in all examination rooms.
What do I do if I think I have the wrong paper?
The invigilators willask you to check before the exam starts. If you think something is wrong, put your hand up and tell the invigilator immediately.
The Examination Handbook will be updated to reflect the latest government guidance in relation to Coronavirus. This will be shared with you as soon as we receive further
information from OFQUAL and the Awarding Bodies
Summary of decisions made by OFQUAL following their summer consultation for each GCSE subject
GCSE subject Decision about assessment in 2021
Art and Design Assessment to be portfolio only.
Permit exam boards to carry out moderation by photographic
and/or digital portfolio.
Biology Permit observation of demonstrations and/or simulations to cover required apparatus and techniques.
Business No change to assessment arrangements.
Chemistry Permit observation of demonstrations and/or simulations to cover required apparatus and techniques.
Combined Science Permit observation of demonstrations and/or simulations to cover required apparatus and techniques.
Computer Science Permit programming project to be undertaken in unsupervised
time.
Design and
Technology
Permit exam boards to accept mock-ups and/or clear and detailed intentions of prototypes. Exam boards to provide clarification about their requirements. Permit demonstration of using machinery/ tools/ processes.
Drama Permit live performance statement to be satisfied through streamed or recorded performances.
Devised Performance: Require each student to participate as either a performer or designer in a devised performance of at least 1.5 minutes (for monologue), and/or 2 minutes (for duologue or group).
Text Based Performance: Require each student to participate as either a performer or designer in a text based performance of at least 1.5 minutes (for monologue), and/or 2 minutes (for duologue or group).
Both NEA components: Permit participation in a monologue for both the Devised Performance and Text Based Performance. - no change to coverage in written exams.
English Language No requirement for teachers to submit sample of audio-visual recordings of spoken language assessment for exam board monitoring.
Spoken language assessment permitted to take place before a
single teacher who can represent an ‘audience’.
Spoken language assessment may be conducted by the teacher
at any time during the course and by virtual means.
English Literature Choice of topics on which students have to answer questions, giving
centres choice over the content that must be taught.
A minimum common core (play by Shakespeare) that all students will be assessed on.
Centre level content choices for students to answer questions on
2 of the 3 remaining content areas: poetry; 19th century novel;
fiction/drama from British Isles from 1914.
Food Preparation and
Nutrition
Remove NEA1 and permit an earlier release of NEA2. To reduce the requirements for NEA2 to 2 dishes to be completed within 3 hours
to allow for students to use complex processes such as baking, lamination, making ice-cream and to accommodate public health restrictions.
Geography Remove requirements for (i) written statement that centres have given students the opportunity to undertake 2 days of fieldwork and (ii) students to answer questions in the exam relating to their own fieldwork experience.
History Permit choice of content topics beyond a core identified for each specification that all students will be assessed on, giving centres a choice over the content that must be taught.
Maths No change to assessment arrangements.
Media Studies Permit exam boards to accept a prototype or mock-up, with supporting evidence as necessary, of an individual media production (single product) in response to an exam board set brief. Supporting evidence may include original and non-original photographs, images, drawings or sketches with annotations to illustrate intentions/storyboards/television screenplay/shooting script/radio script and directions. Exam boards to provide clarification about their requirements.
Modern Foreign
Languages
Remove requirement for assessments to use words outside of vocabulary lists and permit glossing where necessary whilst maintaining level of knowledge and accuracy needed for the highest grades.
Make the spoken language assessment an endorsement reported on a 3-point scale (pass, merit and distinction) against common assessment criteria. To be assessed by teachers during the course of study.
Permit exam boards to include an additional optional question in the writing assessment which would enable students to focus on fewer themes in their writing.
Music Performance Assessment: Require students to perform 1 or more pieces of music with a combined duration of at least 1.5 minutes (if all solo performance) or 2 minutes. No requirement to perform as part of an ensemble. Requirement to submit complete and unedited recording of
the live performance and, where available, the score or lead sheet for that performance.
Composition Assessment: Require students to compose 1 or more pieces of music with a combined duration of at least 2 minutes. Compositions may be in response to an exam board set brief and/or be freely composed, with no requirement to do both. Exam boards to provide clarification about their requirements for students who compose more than 1 piece.
Requirement to submit complete recording of each composition with a score, lead sheet or written account of the composition, produced by the student. NB: The student does not have to perform their own composition(s). The recording(s) may be computer generated.
Both NEA components: Permit both NEA components to be marked by the teacher and moderated by the exam board or to be marked directly by the exam board. Exam boards to provide clarification about their requirements.
Physical Education Permit exam boards to reduce requirement to 2 activities and allow both to be individual.
Permit remote moderation using videoed evidence for all
activities.
Permit exam boards to explore relaxation of the requirements for
provision of evidence for example, type and quality of videoed evidence and the evidence of participation in competitive sport.
Religious Studies No change to assessment arrangements.
Sociology No change to assessment arrangements.
Statistics No change to assessment arrangements.
Key Dates:
RPA event – date TBC on online
Week beginning 2nd November DD1 report issued
Wednesday 4th November -Year 11 Parents Evening
Wednesday 11th November FBA 6th Form Open Evening 6.30pm
Safe Drive Stay Alive –event cancelled
January 2021 - Year 11 DD2 reports
3rd February 2021 - Personal Development Day
22nd February- 3rd March 2021 - Year 11 Mock examinations
April 2021 (TBC) - Year 11 Mock results day & DD3 report
31st March 2021 –Year 11 Parents Evening
TBC Leavers Day
8th July 2021 - Year 11 Prom Orsett Hall
Mental Health Resources
Above is a useful activity to encourage your daughter to talk about the issues that are worrying her. It is useful if you discuss coping strategies with her and encourage her to look at this when she is struggling.
Useful Links
Young Minds Parents Helpline – call 0808 802 5544
Shout for support in a crisis - text Shout to 85258
https :// www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=96&v=hDWDjdepm1g
Havering Mind https ://www.haveringmind.org.uk /
Place2Be https ://www.place2be.org.uk/contacts.aspx
Next steps after GCSE – post 16 options advice
Highlight the things
you CANNOT
control
All young people in the UK are required to stay in full time education or training until they are 18 years old – this could be at a sixth form, college or apprenticeship.
There is a good range of options suitable for all students:
Staying on at the FBA Sixth Form – over 20 different A-level choices and a couple of BTEC options Attending another school sixth form – good ranges of A-levels on offer Sixth Form College – wide range of A-level and BTEC qualifications College of Further and Higher Education – no A-levels but a diverse range of vocational courses on
offer – including BTEC, certificate/diploma and new T-levels from 2020 Apprenticeship – where you ‘earn as you learn’, a full time job alongside studying for a qualification
It is important to have a plan A, B and even C – there is no upper limit to the number of sixth forms/colleges you can apply to, and it is possible to apply for apprenticeships alongside college or sixth form. All students should apply to a minimum of two different sixth forms or colleges, or at least one additional college as well as for an apprenticeship.
Entry requirements:
A-levels – at least 6 passes at GCSE (grades 4-9), with a minimum of 4 or 5’s in maths and English language. Typically a 6 will be needed in the subject if taken at GCSE (e.g. you would need a grade 6 in geography to take geography A-level), and other subjects will have their own additional requirements
Apprenticeship – at least 3 passes at GCSE, as well as maths and English, but dependant on the level of apprenticeship applied for (can be higher or sometimes lower)
BTEC/award/certificate qualifications – at least 3 passes at GCSE, as well as maths and English (most will require 5 or more grade 4-9’s)
How to apply:
Attend open evenings/events and speak to the tutors and pupils – this year the majority of open events will be run online. Make sure you look on the different college and sixth form websites for more information on how you can register for these
Applications are usually completed online, with a few schools and colleges still opting for paper application forms. Completing applications online is quick and straightforward. Most applications will want brief details on current education (including any extra-curricular activities, responsibilities held in school etc.), reasons behind subject choices and that choice of college/sixth form.
Usually, a reference will also need to be completed. This should be forwarded to [email protected] or can be dropped into the Wellbeing Centre. Once completed by the school, this will be sent directly to the college or Sixth Form. Please make sure the reference information google form is completed before providing Miss Woods with any requests - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScWq9D3e9pByHM69YW4vqmRAUfeZvvAppzJ1nFESmiYfgQUvw/viewform?usp=sf_link (link can also be found on SMHW or Miss Woods can email this directly).
Making the right choice:
It can be difficult to know what you want to do at a young age. If University is the end goal, studying A-levels would be preferable, although it is now possible to progress to University with level 3 BTEC qualifications. Does the structure of a school sixth form appeal, or the large community feel of a college? Apprenticeships offer excellent work experience and future prospects, but you must balance work life and studying. Would a course leading straight into employment be most appropriate? Weigh up and pros and cons of each option, and don’t be swayed by what friends are doing if it isn’t going to suit.
If at any point you have any questions or are at all unsure, contact Miss Woods the Careers manager via email – [email protected] or call 01708 447368 ext. 216. Students can also drop in to the careers office each day between 8:30am – 4pm, which is located in the Wellbeing Centre.
Unifrog:
All students in the school have access to the careers and further education online platform Unifrog - https://www.unifrog.org/ . Students in Year 11 should already have made an account, however if this has not been done, or if there are any issues logging in, please speak to Miss Woods. If you have previously made an account but have forgotten your password, you can re-set this from the home page, please do not create a duplicate account. Unifrog can be used to explore different subject choices, careers, log skills and competencies and practice writing CV’s and applications and much more.
Work experience and volunteering:
Whilst work experience in Year 10 was not able to go ahead as planned, it is still important for students to gain workplace experience where possible. At present, most work experience opportunities are still online (Barclays Life Skills is one notable company which has a very good online programme), but it is hoped that over the coming months, more companies will be able to offer physical placements. This may be something students wish to pursue over the long summer break between finishing GCSEs and moving onto college or sixth form. There may also be other volunteering opportunities within the local community. Students should be proactive in trying to find something suitable, however Miss Woods is available to offer advice and guidance if needed.
The National Citizen Service is still running various programmes, helping young people to make a positive impact, as well as improving key employability skills. The programmes are designed specifically for 16-17 year olds, and are rigorously health and safety checked. You can find out more information here - https://wearencs.com/
Useful sources of information:
https://successatschool.org/https://www.ucas.com/further-education/post-16-qualificationshttps://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/information/your-choices-at-16/help-with-choosing-your-post-16-optionshttps://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/
Contacts
Form tutors - First point of contact for pastoral issues
11F Miss Thurston/Mr Hall [email protected] [email protected]
11B Miss Olawepo [email protected]
11E Ms Sunaesse [email protected]
11L Miss Smyth [email protected]
11O Miss Richards [email protected]
11R Dr Sheenan [email protected]
11S Mrs Thrower [email protected]
11W Miss Gilzene [email protected]
Head of Department - First point of contact for subject issues including teaching and learning, homework, revision sessions
Subject HOD Email
Art & Photography Ms Dorber [email protected]
Business Studies Mrs Chukwuma pchukwuma @fbaok.co.uk
Computing Ms Naqavi & Miss Terralonge
snaqavi @fbaok.co.uk
Drama Miss Mond [email protected]
English Miss Smyth
Ms Richards (KS4)
lrichards @fbaok.co.uk
Food & Nutrition & Child Development Mrs Haylock [email protected]
Geography Miss Wren [email protected]
History Mr Hall [email protected]
Mathematics Mr Howarth
Mr Dalley (KS4)
Media Studies Miss Venis [email protected]
MFL Mrs Lakhan [email protected]
Music Mr Riches triches @fbaok.co.uk
Physical Education Ms Cambridge [email protected]
Religious Studies Miss Carr (Acting) [email protected]
Science Mr Sullivan [email protected]
Miss Blake (Biology)
Mrs Thrower (Chemistry)
Mr Newton (Physics)
Sociology Miss Thurston [email protected]
Year 11 Admin Support Officer Mrs Chatfield [email protected] Mrs Chatfield can take messages if staff are unavailable and / help you find the appropriate person to speak to.
Progress Manager [email protected] Mrs Potter should be contacted if there are concerns in a number of subject areas or serious pastoral concerns.
Assistant Vice Principal KS4 [email protected] Mrs Hebden should be contacted if there are serious concerns relating to Teaching & Learning or pastoral concerns.
Examination officer Miss Woodward [email protected] Miss Woodward should be contacted about any queries relating to examination entries, timetables, special consideration, collecting results etc.
Careers Manager Miss R Woods [email protected] Miss Woods should be contacted about any issues relating to college applications, references etc.
